"Earnhardt
Elvis" 'show car'
unveiled
in
Las
Vegas
in
Las
Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- Two of the greatest icons in American sport and music were celebrated Friday when a No. 3 race car was unveiled bearing the images of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt and the King of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley.
Dale Earnhardt: Crash
Very sad day. He was the best. But sadly, nobody lives forever.
Meant to continue the legacies of both men, the "Earnhardt and Elvis" car paired these icons together as part of the "Enduring Legends" series that recently saw the Intimidator share the hood of his famous No. 3 Chevrolet with country music great Johnny Cash and cowboy film icon John Wayne.
"Earnhardt and Elvis" was unveiled in dramatic fashion among the glitz and glamor of fabulous Las Vegas in Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Neon Garage. Featuring Presley's and Earnhardt's names and likenesses on the sides and hood of the car, this is the third edition in a mufti-year series that will continue the legacy of Earnhardt by teaming him up with other iconic American personalities.
Two giants
Own a piece of history with as two American icons are celebrated with the "Earnhardt and Elvis" collection.
Earnhardt, who won 76 Cup races and a record-tying seven championships, shaped the face of NASCAR into the sport that millions of fans worldwide know and love today. A man of humble beginnings, during which he listened to the music of Elvis Presley that his mother played, Earnhardt went on to achieve superstardom doing what he loved to do most -- beat out the competition behind the wheel of a race car. His popularity has transformed him into an enduring icon of, not only NASCAR, but American culture as a whole; whose memory is celebrated on and off the track.
"Through his persona, popularity and sheer talent, Dale Earnhardt changed the way NASCAR fans watched racing and brought an excitement to the sport that had not been seen in the past. Elvis Presley did the same with music,"Joe Hedrick, vice president of licensing for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., said.
"Dale's incredible fan following celebrates his legacy each and every day, and we're so proud that he's sharing the hood of the No. 3 with one of America's greatest cultural icons, Elvis."MEMPHIS, TN -- The threat of "Jailhouse Rock" was apparently too much for the thief who stole a gun that once belonged to Elvis. Security video shows a man, a real "devil in disguise," walking to a display case at an Elvis museum in Memphis last week. And realizing it's "Now or Never", the "Hound Dog" palmed the pistol and "left the building." But the 9 millimeter, worth about $30,000, didn't get far. We don't know if he was "all shook up" over his antics, or didn't want to "be cruel" to fans. But the thief dropped the gun in a portable toilet behind the museum. No word on whether the thief wore "blue suede shoes." The gun was taken from the Elvis after dark museum last Tuesday during a week where fans from across the world converged on Graceland to mark the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. The museum is across the street from Graceland. The theft wasn't discovered until Friday when someone noticed that the glass on the display was unlocked. A cleaning person found...
"Earnhardt & Elvis" car
debut Feb. 27
Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Neon Garage
ticketholders to receive complimentary die-cast replica
Monday, January 12, 2009
Neon Garage Pass holders will see the official unveiling of the Earnhardt & Elvis Enduring Legends Car on Friday, Feb. 27
Race fans attending Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Feb. 27-March 1 NASCAR Weekend will enjoy an added attraction as Motorsports Authentics, along with Elvis Presley Enterprises and Dale Earnhardt Inc., will unveil its new "Earnhardt & Elvis" car in the Neon Garage on Friday, Feb. 27.
The "Earnhardt and Elvis" car, which features The King of Rock and Roll on the hood of the Intimidator's famous No. 3 Chevrolet, is the third car in the Enduring Legends Series from Motorsports Authentics and Dale Earnhardt Inc. The series is in its second year and has been very well received by both NASCAR fans and collectors. Last year, Earnhardt was paired with American legends Johnny Cash and John Wayne.
"Dale Earnhardt was instrumental in convincing NASCAR to bring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to Las Vegas, so he has a special place in our hearts," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "Elvis - the King of Rock 'n' Roll - is a Las Vegas icon and is loved by race fans and tourists around the world. We are excited to be the host for the unveiling of this unique program and promotion in the greatest entertainment destination in the world. It's also a special treat for our Neon Garage pass holders as well."
The worldwide unveiling of the "Earnhardt & Elvis" car will take place in LVMS's Neon Garage during zMAX Pole Day and could include family members and friends of both the Earnhardt and Presley families. In addition, NASCAR fans also will be treated to a unique Elvis experience that will transform the Neon Garage into a Memphis music studio.
As part of this program launch, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will give a commemorative 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the "Earnhardt and Elvis" car to the first 10,000 fans to purchase weekend passes to the Neon Garage. Those fans purchasing a weekend pass will be given the opportunity to see the "Earnhardt & Elvis" race car up close and are invited to take pictures with the car. Following the LVMS NASCAR Weekend, the "Earnhardt & Elvis" car will go on display at Graceland in Memphis. The car will move to DEI headquarters in late April for Earnhardt's birthday. Following Earnhardt's birthday celebration, the car will never be on display again.
All of the "Earnhardt and Elvis" die-cast and apparel items will be available in the speedway's midway at Earnhardt's merchandise rig during the event weekend.
"Because of the strong fan reaction and collector excitement we experienced around the Johnny Cash and John Wayne cars in 2008, we're expecting the ‘Earnhardt & Elvis' car to be the most popular program of the entire Enduring Legends Series," said Mark Dyer, president and CEO of Motorsports Authentics. "Elvis's legacy as a great American icon makes him the perfect man to grace the hood of the famous No. 3 Chevrolet and we're excited to make this worldwide car unveiling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of its action-packed weekend of NASCAR racing."
Just as Dale Earnhardt left an indelible mark on NASCAR, Elvis Presley forever changed the landscape of American music when he burst onto the scene in 1954. The legend starred in 33 films, made history with his television appearances and specials and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold more than one billion records, and his American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles -- far more than any other artist. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations and the Grammy lifetime achievement award, which he received at the young age of 36. He still has one of the most devoted fan bases to this day, much like Earnhardt, whose loyal following still proudly display their love, honor and respect for the man known as the Intimidator.
"Earnhardt and Elvis is a perfect pairing of two men who followed their dreams doing exactly what they loved and set new standards in their respective industries,"stated Carol Butler, VP of worldwide licensing for Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc."Neither rock 'n' roll nor NASCAR would be the entities they are today without these two legends and the legacies they created."Motorsports Authentics, through its Action Racing Collectables die-cast brand, will be offering a collectible version of the limited edition No. 3 Dale Earnhardt/Elvis Presley car. Die-cast replica cars are available at the No. 3 trackside merchandise rigs, at the NASCAR.COM Superstore and at Motorsports Authentics authorized dealers nationwide. Chase Authentics, the authentic trackside apparel of NASCAR, will also offer Presley and Earnhardt fans an opportunity to express their love of both men through an array of apparel items such as hats and t-shirts.
Acclaimed NASCAR artist Sam Bass created a one-of-a-kind Gibson guitar to commemorate "Earnhardt and Elvis" to be auctioned off in support of the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation.
"Earnhardt and Elvis" will make a cross-country journey from Las Vegas to Memphis, where both the car and guitar will go on public display the weekend of March 6th, 2009 at Graceland's Elvis Presley Automobile Museum.
Following its tenure at Elvis' home and final resting place, both items will be on display at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in time for the celebration of Dale Earnhardt's birthday on April 29.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Graceland
UNVEILS ELVIS CAR
+
live concert